The Minnesota Timberwolves are having a very special season. Not only is the team pushing forward in the NBA Playoffs, but their star player is getting some very special praise. NBA legend Michael Jordan is giving praise to Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, per Stephen A. Smith.
Smith shared on ESPN Monday that Jordan told him that Edwards was a special player. The comments came after a Game 1 victory for the Timberwolves over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Western Conference playoffs. Edwards poured in 33 points to lead his team to a dominant 120-95 victory over the Suns in Game 1 of the series.
“There are moments where you are talking about greatness; there are moments that you peel, where you say this is a little different,” Smith said. “Anthony Edwards, and what he did, and what he was bringing to the table, I am talking about slashing to the basket, dancing on cats.”
Edwards' leadership
Edwards is having an outstanding season for Minnesota. The guard is averaging 26 points a game on the season, leading the team in scoring. He is also second in assists on the club, dishing out five a game.
The Timberwolves have leaned on his scoring for most of the season, as Edwards' hot hand led the Twin Cities franchise to the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs this year. This season was the first time the franchise had ever been a No. 3 seed.
Edwards' play has won him the respect of several media figures and former players. Not only is Jordan praising him, but Stephen A. Smith has said Edwards will take the franchise to new heights.
The Timberwolves have never won an NBA championship in their more than 30-year history. Minnesota also doesn't have a conference title, despite having several great players over the years, including Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury. Edwards is giving the franchise a new sense of vigor that it hasn't seen in many years.
Edwards averaged career-highs this season in points, assists and field-goal percentage. He is in his fourth season for the club, where he has spent his entire NBA career.
The guard played his college basketball at Georgia before the Wolves picked him as the first selection in the 2020 draft. Edwards is a two-time NBA All-Star and was named to the NBA Rookie Team during his first season in the league.
The guard's playoff numbers are even more impressive. Edwards is averaging 28.5 points per game throughout his first 12 career playoff games, per Athlon Sports. The guard is in elite company with only Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Tracy McGrady, Donovan Mitchell and Ja Morant matching that feat.
Minnesota will once again rely on Edwards on Tuesday as the team takes on the Suns in Game 2 of their playoff series. The tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 Eastern.
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